‘Steeler football, Steeler way’

[hackjam]

the family thing - good call out! I meant to say it and got tied up with some work stuff.

Pat McAfee always talks about how they're like a college program with the alumni always around the building, etc.

There are also a lot of guys who come in for a relatively short period of time and identify themselves as Steelers first, despite having played for other orgs. Arthur Moats immediately comes to mind.

[whisper]

Spot on 100 percent how I would define it too. Very nice Deville.

You left a huge part out: it also means to draft wisely and build and re-build the team through the draft. That's why the Steelers became synonymous with taking care of their own; they used to only pay big $ for players they themselves drafted. They came first. Of course, all of that shlts the bed if you don't draft well, and basically starting with the Cool Shades era, we haven't been, so the "Steeler way" all falls apart. It all starts with drafting well, if you don't, then you are forced to sign more and more free agents. That is where Cool Shades has put us. And also as mentioned earlier, building the trenches is the "Steelers' way," something else that has shlt the bed under Cool Shades. Under his watch, the lines have been left to crumble twice. They didn't learn their lesson after the 1st time.

[Rocky Mtn]

and it wasn’t until they changed the rules that our style of play was known around the league as hard hitting/knock you on your ass football. We still try to do it from time to time but it usually leads to a flag.

Totally agree

[BURGH86STEEL]

From nowhere to a dynasty in a short time with an insanely talented team in the 70's. I think it's safe to say their style of play was cemented as the Steelers way as far as the on field part of it goes.

Did you ever watch the 1970's games?

[Captain Lemming]

and it wasn’t until they changed the rules that our style of play was known around the league as hard hitting/knock you on your ass football. We still try to do it from time to time but it usually leads to a flag.

This is a point that came to mind after Devilles description.
I think we went “soft” as a response to rule changes that impacted us like no other team.

Hines, Harrison, Clarke…All targets of rule changes. I think it hurt us more than people realize.

I think it was NEVER what the Steelers do best. We got enamored with high octane passing and lost our way.

The question about “Steeler football”? It is NOT what we saw when Ben was leading the league in attempts, drafting olinemen and linebackers with no “nasty”.

We tried to be like everyone else.

I actually said TWO YEARS ago, when we drafted Najee that I could see we were bringing back Steeler football.

I even think the linemen fails in Dotson and Green were intended to bring back nasty. Green was a straight bully in college. Watch the tape. Just did not have the height, length and weight for the league.

[Captain Lemming]

You left a huge part out: it also means to draft wisely and build and re-build the team through the draft. That's why the Steelers became synonymous with taking care of their own; they used to only pay big $ for players they themselves drafted. They came first. Of course, all of that shlts the bed if you don't draft well, and basically starting with the Cool Shades era, we haven't been, so the "Steeler way" all falls apart. It all starts with drafting well, if you don't, then you are forced to sign more and more free agents. That is where Cool Shades has put us.

You are mixing the “Steelers way” which is a philosophy, with skillful execution of the draft.

Bush is BOTH not a Steeler type (philosophy) and a fail (execution). You can point to THAT as not following the Steeler way.

But poor talent evaluation by itself have nothing to do with the Steeler way.

And also as mentioned earlier, building the trenches is the "Steelers' way," something else that has shlt the bed under Cool Shades. Under his watch, the lines have been left to crumble twice. They didn't learn their lesson after the 1st time.

Yeah, what is right in the middle of your negativity sandwich?

I would suggest that there is but ONE offensive line in team HISTORY that was considered best in the league…2018.
Only number one Steeler red zone offense since the stat has been kept. We had CONNERS not BETTIS.

I would further suggest that best Steeler defensive line since the Curtain is Cam, Hargrave and Tuit. The problem was the guys BEHIND them.

[Rocky Mtn]

Did you ever watch the 1970's games?

Does a bear.....?

[BURGH86STEEL]

This is a point that came to mind after Devilles description.
I think we went “soft” as a response to rule changes that impacted us like no other team.

Hines, Harrison, Clarke…All targets of rule changes. I think it hurt us more than people realize.

I think it was NEVER what the Steelers do best. We got enamored with high octane passing and lost our way.

The question about “Steeler football”? It is NOT what we saw when Ben was leading the league in attempts, drafting olinemen and linebackers with no “nasty”.

We tried to be like everyone else.

I actually said TWO YEARS ago, when we drafted Najee that I could see we were bringing back Steeler football.

I even think the linemen fails in Dotson and Green were intended to bring back nasty. Green was a straight bully in college. Watch the tape. Just did not have the height, length and weight for the league.

This is a point that came to mind after Devilles description.
I think we went “soft” as a response to rule changes that impacted us like no other team.

Hines, Harrison, Clarke…All targets of rule changes. I think it hurt us more than people realize.

I think it was NEVER what the Steelers do best. We got enamored with high octane passing and lost our way.

The question about “Steeler football”? It is NOT what we saw when Ben was leading the league in attempts, drafting olinemen and linebackers with no “nasty”.

We tried to be like everyone else.

I actually said TWO YEARS ago, when we drafted Najee that I could see we were bringing back Steeler football.

I even think the linemen fails in Dotson and Green were intended to bring back nasty. Green was a straight bully in college. Watch the tape. Just did not have the height, length and weight for the league.

I don't know how one defines soft when it comes to the NFL. My belief is that a person has to be "tough" to make it into the NFL. I agree that some players are more physically and mentally tough to make it in the NFL. Scouts and coaches probably have a different view point than fans.

I don't think the Steelers ever loss their way. IMO, the Steelers were always about winning games regardless of whatever happened. Adapt to injuries or losses and play to win. You as a Steelers player are "expected to help the team win" We can disagree.

IMO, Najee was drafted by the Steelers for a variety of reasons.

Dotson has the ability to dominate week in and week out. What happens, "behind the scenes" fans don't know. Some times players need a "wake up call".

Green was drafted for his athletic ability for the inside position. Green couldn't "execute" consistently enough at the NFL level to allow him to play. Time will tell if Green can develop and execute better.

Green has the necessary athleticism regardless of size, ect ect. Execution.......lacked.

Dawson made the HOF why? He was not as big and probably not as strong as Green. Dawson executed at a smaller size.

What is the difference? Mental? Team? It's hard to say.

Ultimately, it probably boils down to a players work ethic to improve. Fans can't judge a player's work ethic or ability to compete.

[BURGH86STEEL]

Does a bear.....?

Sorry I don't follow you. I watched the 70's games. To watch a 70's game is "painful" for most fans today.

[Rocky Mtn]

Sorry I don't follow you. I watched the 70's games. To watch a 70's game is "painful" for most fans today.

True. As it turns out today we were gifted and privelaged to be able to experience it.When football was truly football.

[WindyCitySteel]

A lot of teams want to play physical football and great defense, nobody is listing anything unique here. That style got branded as Steeler Football after the 70s and stuck.

I'm sure Raider fans think they're the only franchise who wants to Just Win, Baby.

The Steeler Way is a little more unique - stability with head coaches, build primarily through draft, but other teams do the latter, too.

[whisper]

You are mixing the “Steelers way” which is a philosophy, with skillful execution of the draft.

Bush is BOTH not a Steeler type (philosophy) and a fail (execution). You can point to THAT as not following the Steeler way.

But poor talent evaluation by itself have nothing to do with the Steeler way.


Yeah, what is right in the middle of your negativity sandwich?

I would suggest that there is but ONE offensive line in team HISTORY that was considered best in the league…2018.
Only number one Steeler red zone offense since the stat has been kept. We had CONNERS not BETTIS.

I would further suggest that best Steeler defensive line since the Curtain is Cam, Hargrave and Tuit. The problem was the guys BEHIND them.

The OL you mention happened at the end of the rebuild, with Pouncey and DeCastro (both 1st round picks) and with Munch as the OL coach, who got more out of Big Al than anyone could. But you don't think Pgh had put out top OLs before that? Not in the 70's? The 80's and 90's too? But let's not ignore the shape of the OL before they were finally forced to address it. Who can forget Tomlin's diatribe re: players he drafted while ignoring the OL once again: "We can help Ben in other ways than drafting OLmen." Remember that? They "helped Ben" by drafting Medenhall, Sweed, Bruce Davis, Tony Hills, Dennis Dixon, etc. Some REAL help there.

[whatever]

It seems like we can agree that the Steelers only separate themselves from other nfl teams is by keeping their HC.
Everything else is the same.

[feltdizz]

A lot of teams want to play physical football and great defense, nobody is listing anything unique here. That style got branded as Steeler Football after the 70s and stuck.

I'm sure Raider fans think they're the only franchise who wants to Just Win, Baby.

The Steeler Way is a little more unique - stability with head coaches, build primarily through draft, but other teams do the latter, too.

I’ve lived a lot of places and I’ve been to a lot of bars. Trust me, a lot of teams WANT what we got.

Bengal fans.. Cleveland fans.. they talk a lot of smack but once things calm down they always lean in and say “I hate you guys.. but dammit, I respect the way your franchise operates”

and others will say with jealousy “we can’t all be like your franchise” in a tone that makes you think “damn.. sucks to be them”

Every franchise has a story.. but not every franchise has a story like ours. We aren’t a big city, we were a blue collar city.

The mills closed people left the city for jobs but they took their terrible towels with them. Folks say we travel well. I remind them most of us aren’t traveling far. We live in these cities.

A lot of teams wanted to play a physical brand of football we played but most couldn’t do it.

I live in Charlotte and after our win the radio calls were all saying the same thing. “We aren’t there yet, the Steelers came in and punked us, we thought we were there but the Steelers came in, took over the stadium and pushed us around like they always do”

[whatever]

I’ve lived a lot of places and I’ve been to a lot of bars. Trust me, a lot of teams WANT what we got.

Bengal fans.. Cleveland fans.. they talk a lot of smack but once things calm down they always lean in and say “I hate you guys.. but dammit, I respect the way your franchise operates”

and others will say with jealousy “we can’t all be like your franchise” in a tone that makes you think “damn.. sucks to be them”

Every franchise has a story.. but not every franchise has a story like ours. We aren’t a big city, we were a blue collar city.

The mills closed people left the city for jobs but they took their terrible towels with them. Folks say we travel well. I remind them most of us aren’t traveling far. We live in these cities.

A lot of teams wanted to play a physical brand of football we played but most couldn’t do it.

I live in Charlotte and after our win the radio calls were all saying the same thing. “We aren’t there yet, the Steelers came in and punked us, we thought we were there but the Steelers came in, took over the stadium and pushed us around like they always do”

Unfortunately only a few teams say that about us anymore and we are saying it a lot more about our opponents.